LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A man was taken to the hospital after being shot on Baxter Avenue in the Highlands on Sunday morning, according to Louisville Metro Police.
Police believe it was following a large fight at Baxter's 942 that was all caught on video.
LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said police responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Baxter Avenue around 3 a.m. The man was taken to University of Louisville Hospital with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries, according to Mitchell.
The patrons got into some sort of scuffle on the back patio and security stepped in and then things escalated from there. At one point, metal chairs were being thrown.Â
Witnesses said it started with about 20 to 30 people then quickly grew to more than 100. The bar told everyone to leave about 15 minutes after the fight started.
LMPD said a short time later the shooting happened near the bar. They believe it was a spillover and related to that earlier fight. Witnesses said the fight grew very big, very quickly.
"At first it was a little bit subtle but then things just started getting rowdy and there was like multiple things going on at once, so everyone didn't even know what to look but at one point you would think it would calm down but it was just getting worse and worse," Derya Vega, who witnessed the fight, said.
A fight took place outside of Baxter's 942 on Oct. 7, 2023. (Submitted footage)
Baxter's 942 Owner Kevin Strnatka told WDRB in a statement that security tried to stop the assault and remove the person who started it. But the situation escalated and other people began attacking security.
"Regulars of the establishment quickly came to the aid of our security, and helped push the aggressors off of our property," Strnatka said in a statement.
There aren't any known suspects. LMPD's Non-Fatal Shooting Unit is investigating the incident.
Anyone with any information is asked to call LMPD's anonymous tip line at 502-574-5673 or submit information online by clicking here.
A full statement by Baxter's 942's owner can be read below:
"An unfortunate incident happened last night at our establishment. It began with an altercation between two patrons. Our security responded to stop the assault and remove the instigator of the altercation. Friends of the instigator quickly escalated the situation. A domino effect occurred which involved out of town, and largely unknown patrons attacking our security team, and outnumbering them. Regulars of the establishment quickly came to the aid of our security, and helped push the aggressors off of our property. As an establishment we made the quick decision to close early to ensure the safety of our patrons and staff. While we love people visiting our city we ask you treat our establishment and nearby areas with respect and kindness. I want to commend my security team and our customers that came to our defense."
Related Stories:
- Louisville police set to begin increased patrols along Bardstown Road in the Highlands
- Highlands residents want their neighborhood back. Here's an up-close look at a night on Bardstown Road.
- Uptick in crime in Louisville's Highlands prompting calls for bars to close earlier
- Highlands residents voice concerns at meeting about recent crime in the area, loud music from bars
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
